Objectives

Background. US Public Law 108-7 of the Transportation and Related Agencies' Appropriations provided approximately $1 million under the FHWA Borders and Corridors Program for a comprehensive study of the transportation deficiencies of the "Northeast Border Corridor" which is comprised of the states of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, and their connections in neighboring provinces of Canada. This is an international initiative, encompassing the active involvement of four US states and four Canadian provinces.

Study Goal. This study seeks to provide a comprehensive assessment of the adequacy of inter-state and cross-border transportation within the "northeast border region". It focuses on east-west movements spanning a region that includes central Maine, northern New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York's North Country, as well as the Canadian side of the border, from Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick) through Quebec to Ontario.

The study encompasses all modes of transportation links within the region and with other regions, extending from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Seaboard. This includes both sides of the border, from Toronto to Halifax on the Canadian side and from Buffalo to Calais, Maine on the U.S. side. This is a region of some 25 million people. The study is evaluating opportunities to attract more investment and to create more jobs by promoting multi-state and cross-border cooperation in developing a more inter-connected and efficient transportation system that can reduce business costs, increase competitiveness, and capture new tourist and business trade and spending in the region.

Study Focus. The core focus of this study is the relationship between transportation links and the economic performance of communities within the study region. The project is examining this relationship by evaluating the adequacy of the region's access to jobs, to markets and to intermodal distribution networks within and outside the region, and then assessing their effect on job loss, population loss and low wage levels in many parts of the study area. The study will assess the extent to which transportation improvements can reduce business costs and improve operating efficiencies within the region, as well as enhance the region's competitiveness in attracting and retaining businesses and jobs. Other important impacts on cross border travel and shipping costs, access to international air and sea ports, and safety will also be considered.

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